What Are Thirst Waves?
Global warming is making the air thirstier, causing higher evaporative demand that dries out land and plants—a phenomenon called thirst waves.
- Thirstwave, a term coined by researchers Meetpal Kukal and Mike Hobbins, refers to a period of three or more consecutive days with extreme atmospheric evaporative demand—reflecting how “thirsty” the air is for moisture.
- Thirst waves are influenced by temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed, unlike heatwaves, which are mainly driven by temperature and wind.
- It is measured through Short-crop evapotranspiration that measures water loss from a well-watered 12-cm grass surface.
- Rising evapotranspiration indicates higher temperatures, lower humidity, and increased wind speed and solar radiation.
- Stronger thirst waves lead to faster soil moisture loss, greater irrigation requirements, and a higher risk of crop stress and yield reduction.
- Thirstwaves & India: Studies show that evaporative demand is increasing in parts of India, including Northern India and the Western/Eastern Himalayas, driven by agricultural expansion and vegetation growth.
